Campus mentor and beacon Marie Rolle dies at 93

March 31, 2014
11 Comments

Marie Rolle, devoted supporter and retired director of Career Planning and Placement Center, died Saturday, March 29. She was 93.

If Joseph Rolle was the campus “dad,” Marie Rolle was the “mom,” a mentor and teacher to many young men and women as they traversed their educational path and sought careers. As director of the Career Planning and Placement Center, Mrs. Rolle’s kindness and passion for helping others succeed made NAU feel like home and launched many a successful career.

“Marie Rolle exuded a sincere enthusiasm and deep sense of loyalty that set her apart as one of Northern Arizona University’s most beloved supporters,” said NAU President John Haeger. “She defined the essence of NAU’s ‘personal touch’ and her presence will always be felt here.”

In fact, the NAU campus itself was home to the Rolles for many years. Dean and Mrs. Rolle accepted jobs at his alma mater in the late 1940s and moved their two sons into a two-bedroom apartment in Taylor Hall. The Rolles continued to live on campus for 13 years, raising their children alongside young adults who benefitted from the close-knit environment.

Robert Crozier, two-time alumnus and retired 40-year NAU employee, lived in Taylor Hall when the Rolles were its head residents. He recalled Mrs. Rolle’s sense of humor that provided a balance to the strict rules for the young men who lived there.

“She was student-oriented, a very kind and generous person, and a stalwart supporter of NAU even after she and Joe retired,” Crozier said. “I can’t say enough good things about Marie. We will all miss her.”

Mrs. Rolle’s willingness to volunteer in various capacities in support of the university led to jobs as manager of the campus bookstore, then into the Career Planning and Placement Center.

Services

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 16. W. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The burial will be followed by a reception to celebrate Mrs. Rolle’s life.

“Marie and Joe represented an era of thoughtful, caring staff members who enabled NAU to become the great university that it is today,” said NAU President Emeritus Eugene Hughes. “Without a doubt, they will go down in history as but one of a few Dr. and Mrs. Lumberjack couples.”

In a multitude of ways, Mrs. Rolle was integral to the atmosphere of the Flagstaff campus, with she and her husband serving as beacons guiding young people toward careers and service roles. After their retirement, their children established the Joseph and Marie Rolle Award for Excellence scholarship in 1989 to continue their support of students who demonstrate high achievement.

“Marie was a remarkable person and her importance to NAU and so many of our graduates cannot be understated,” said Hank Peck, NAU alumnus and president of the NAU Foundation board. “Marie worked for many years for the university, helping graduates find jobs. She is responsible for launching many careers, mine included. So many of us were first generation students with no cultural knowledge of college. We were away from home and Marie was that touchstone for us that made NAU our home, too.”

The Rolles continued to attend ceremonies, alumni and donor recognition events and often represented the university in the Flagstaff community and beyond. The NAU Alumni Association created the Joe and Marie Rolle Spirit of NAU award in their honor and they were recognized with an Arizona Board of Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education in 2009.

Marie Morfeld was born Aug. 20, 1920, in Greeley, Neb., to A.B. and Susie Morfeld. After graduating from St. Bonaventure High School in 1937, she moved with family to Arizona. She attended the University of Arizona and was an honorary member of Gamma Phi Beta.

Mrs. Rolle was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Joseph; their son Lawrence “Murph” Rolle; brothers Larry, Francis, Joe and Paul; and sister Bernice. She is survived by her son Charles (Julie) Rolle; daughters JoAnne (Steve) Rolle Harper and Randi (Doug Ulmah) Rolle.

11 Responses to Campus mentor and beacon Marie Rolle dies at 93

Marie was such a precious gem. She was a beloved friend to many, a mentor and guide to decades of students/staff/faculty and alumni. I will personally miss our visits and our “dates” when I always learned something wonderful from Marie. She touched my heart and I know she touched the hearts of many others over the years. I will miss her spirit and friendship; however her impact upon our NAU campus and Flagstaff community, along with that of her husband, Joe, will be felt for generations to come. Rest in peace, dear Marie. Thank you for your lasting friendship and love.

My tears, I thought were for the passing of Marie and
Dean Rolle, since they both have left us. The more I thought, I came to the conclusion that I have the tears for all “Lumberjacks” because we have lost so much in their passing. Marie was a “cheerleader” for all good things at NAU. However, instead of tears for us alumni, let us go forth and try to be like Joe and
Marie and rededicate ourselves to serving our communities and our dear NAU and its mission.
Thank you Marie and Joe…I grew up under your guidance when I left my home in Pennsylvania and you helped develop part of me…the best part of me. Thanks my dear friends…rest in peace…

They say that change is constant. Well, this is one constant that I wish we could avoid. Joe Rolle and Murph Rolle are on their best behaviour now that Marie is around them. I can seem them all smiling. Our nexus to NAU’s core is fading hence I say thanks for having been in Marie’s circle. God bless you Marie.

Marie Rolle was truly an inspiration to all of NAU, Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. Marie was wonderful, carring person who helped so many students in their educational journey. She was a wonderful mentor and will be dearly missed by generations of Lumberjacks.
God bless you Marie.

To the Rolle Family, my sincere sympathy and love. My late husband Joe Crank did a lot of work for The Rolle family and when I would stop to see how Joe was doing on the painting, Marie would always offer a beverage to drink and catch up on how my family was doing and would ask about my Dad Lemmie. The kindness,respect and love shown by Joe and Marie for Joe and my Father Lemuel Littleman is more than words can express. My prayers and love to the Family.

It is difficult to imagine NAU without Joe and Marie Rolle. I miss Joe and will now miss Marie as well. The kindness she has shown me over the last 45 years means a great deal to me. I will treasure my memories of her as I do the memories I have of Joe. I know that God has a special place in his Kingdom for both of them. The Rolle family is in my prayers and may she rest in a well deserved and well earned peace.

With Marie’s passing, we lose another member of “The Greatest Generation”. A significant part of Marie and Joe Rolle’s greatness came from their long association with NAU. Their character helped develop the unique community that is NAU, and as long as we support the personal and academic achievements of students we honor their legacy.

Marie was a role model for women in higher education. She loved and cared for many of our students but also provided a work ideal for administrators, staff, and faculty alike over decades; and for decades to come. Bless you Marie and glad to know you have joined Joe and both are home with the Lord. The memories and impressions that you both have made are everlasting.

Amazing! Phyllis and I were passing through Flagstaff on the day of Marie’s funeral. We were shocked to hear of Marie’s passing. Marie and Joe created a lifelong image of NAU for Phyllis and I. I graduated in 1960 and Phyllis in 61. I returned to teach there in 1964. Joe has always been a role model for me and Marie for Phyllis. Joe was tough but fair. I will never forget the time when Joe was searching for booze in cars at the Snow Bowl. He found mine and when he found out I was 21 he apologized and shook my hand. His face had a sincere grin on it and it was almost as we immediately understood each other. I will never forget them and their wonderful contributions to NAU. True Gold Axe awardees! PS Marie was a pledged member of Gamma Phi, not honorary as the obit says.

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